Trail premium vs the Limited with respect...

[03_4x4Runner]

You can absolutely swap between the two. Id look for a used set of 17" Trail wheels and tires, and they will come with the TPMS sensors already

I swap between the 20s and a set of 17s with all terrain tires. My 17s do not have tpms sensors so the low tire light comes on. Even if you get new tpms sensors for the new wheels they will have to be programmed to the 4runner every time the wheels are swapped. Not a simple procedure like GM vehicles.

 

[cjacob316]

Prefer TEP with SofTex and side mirror indicators. If I could order a Limited without the sunroof this would all be a moot point.

I was talking to the OP

 

[M1911]

Can I alternate between 20" wheels for winter tires and 18" in summer or is this too much of a pain ?

No modifications necessary. Jack the truck up, take off a 20" wheel, slap on an 18" wheel, call it done.

I'm not familiar with the TPMS system on the 4Runner. On Mrs. M1911's Mercedes, we've got TPMS on both sets of wheels. When I swap them over, the car recognizes the new set after a few miles.

If you can change a tire, you can handle this. It is easier with a floor jack, a breaker bar, and a torque wrench.

I also suggest that when you swap over the tires, you clean off the hub with a wire brush. I put a thin coat of anti-seize on the hub to prevent the wheel from seizing to the hub.

 

[Bruin1md]

I was talking to the OP

So here's deal -- I haven't seen the trail premium so I have no idea what the soft tex is like compared to the perforated leather of the limited, or the other additional features it has over the TE.
I like the creature comforts that the limited has, but the more I look at them, I can't imagine they would be a deal breaker by giving them up in the trail premium.
The pull of the limited so far are these extra features, and the full time 4WD as I discussed, but like you and others have said, it seems like having full time 4wd down here is unnecessary and perhaps a bit overrated.

Looks wise, I absolutely prefer the TE exterior over the limited-- and ditto for the TE premium from the pics I've seen.
The suspension of the KDSS really impressed me in the TE I drove, as I mentioned, and I liked it better than the X-REAS in the limited. The braking was also better in the TE with KDSS .......but maybe the ride with the limited would feel much different with 17's. I have no way to compare that right now.

So in summary:
looks and suspension : TEP > LE
Creature comforts: LE> TEP (but granted I haven't been in the TEP....this is based on the comparison check list from totyota.com)
Drive train: million $ question

 

[03_4x4Runner]

So here's deal -- I haven't seen the trail premium so I have no idea what the soft tex is like compared to the perforated leather of the limited, or the other additional features it has over the TE.
I like the creature comforts that the limited has, but the more I look at them, I can't imagine they would be a deal breaker by giving them up in the trail premium.
The pull of the limited so far are these extra features, and the full time 4WD as I discussed, but like you and others have said, it seems like having full time 4wd down here is unnecessary and perhaps a bit overrated.

Looks wise, I absolutely prefer the TE exterior over the limited-- and ditto for the TE premium from the pics I've seen.
The suspension of the KDSS really impressed me in the TE I drove, as I mentioned, and I liked it better than the X-REAS in the limited. The braking was also better in the TE with KDSS .......but maybe the ride with the limited would feel much different with 17's. I have no way to compare that right now.

So in summary:
looks and suspension : TEP > LE
Creature comforts: LE> TEP (but granted I haven't been in the TEP....this is based on the comparison check list from totyota.com)
Drive train: million $ question

I can tell you that my 17" BFG KO2 all terrain 275/70/17 load range E tires have about the same firmness as the stock 20" tires. I imagine a load range C light truck tire or a P tire in 17" would be smoother.

 

[PNTRDPROO]

So here's deal -- I haven't seen the trail premium so I have no idea what the soft tex is like compared to the perforated leather of the limited, or the other additional features it has over the TE.
I like the creature comforts that the limited has, but the more I look at them, I can't imagine they would be a deal breaker by giving them up in the trail premium.
The pull of the limited so far are these extra features, and the full time 4WD as I discussed, but like you and others have said, it seems like having full time 4wd down here is unnecessary and perhaps a bit overrated.

Looks wise, I absolutely prefer the TE exterior over the limited-- and ditto for the TE premium from the pics I've seen.
The suspension of the KDSS really impressed me in the TE I drove, as I mentioned, and I liked it better than the X-REAS in the limited. The braking was also better in the TE with KDSS .......but maybe the ride with the limited would feel much different with 17's. I have no way to compare that right now.

So in summary:
looks and suspension : TEP > LE
Creature comforts: LE> TEP (but granted I haven't been in the TEP....this is based on the comparison check list from totyota.com)
Drive train: million $ question

The softex feels and looks just like non-perforated leather. Cant tell a difference.

If you prefer the Trail and the only thing youre concerned with is the 4wd system... I live in NY and Im considering the Trail.... Where you are I wouldnt sweat it

 

[CSix]

The softex feels and looks just like non-perforated leather. Cant tell a difference.

Actually, the Softex in my Trail seems to be the same stuff covering a really high end bicycle seat made by Fizik... the trail is a tad bit more comfortable though...

 

[Bruin1md]

I can tell you that my 17" BFG KO2 all terrain 275/70/17 load range E tires have about the same firmness as the stock 20" tires. I imagine a load range C light truck tire or a P tire in 17" would be smoother.

Good to know.
Has it changed how it handles around turns with respect to body roll/lean? Have the 17's with 275's made the ride feel more firm/planted on turns or is there no real difference compared to the stock 20's?

I definitely thought the trail with KDSS felt more secure with less lean than the LE.
But a 2nd test drive on dry pavement would have been nice ......unfortunately the Trail sold 1 day after I drove it in the rain.

 

[xpress]

When I tested the srs5, I think it was the premium version. Unless the TE premium is very different, I don't remember the interior making much of an impression. However a few weeks later I got a chance to drive the LE and I was surprised that it definitely felt more upscale inside. I regret not looking into a Trail with KDSS now as I don't know if I would have preferred the ride. I did test drive the 2014 GX460 which looks like it has a similar set up the trail with KDSS and remember the ride being much nicer than the LE.

 

[Bruin1md]

When I tested the srs5, I think it was the premium version. Unless the TE premium is very different, I don't remember the interior making much of an impression. However a few weeks later I got a chance to drive the LE and I was surprised that it definitely felt more upscale inside. I regret not looking into a Trail with KDSS now as I don't know if I would have preferred the ride. I did test drive the 2014 GX460 which looks like it has a similar set up the trail with KDSS and remember the ride being much nicer than the LE.

I keep forgetting the GX460 has the KDSS suspension

Lexus of Baton Rouge has 5 of them and I'm going to test drive one this weekend.
If I like the ride and can get a black CPO one for $5-7k more than a new trail premium, I might go in that direction.
Looks wise, I'm not crazy about the GX compared to the trail premium.

 

[Jhalko]

I can tell you that my 17" BFG KO2 all terrain 275/70/17 load range E tires have about the same firmness as the stock 20" tires. I imagine a load range C light truck tire or a P tire in 17" would be smoother.

The C load i have is a little softer in straight line bumps but seems to have the same (which is very little) body roll on corners, pre lift and suspension change. A P metric definitely increases body roll, they put the P metric on my truck by accident and i drove home not realizing it, was not happy with that ride.

 

[Jhalko]

Looks wise, I absolutely prefer the TE exterior over the limited-- and ditto for the TE premium from the pics I've seen.
The suspension of the KDSS really impressed me in the TE I drove, as I mentioned, and I liked it better than the X-REAS in the limited. The braking was also better in the TE with KDSS .......but maybe the ride with the limited would feel much different with 17's. I have no way to compare that right now.

So in summary:
looks and suspension : TEP > LE
Creature comforts: LE> TEP (but granted I haven't been in the TEP....this is based on the comparison check list from totyota.com)
Drive train: million $ question

When i bought my limited the Trail didnt have a premium and well i wanted the fulltime 4wd for snow and the wife already wanted a GX. If i was buying today Id probably be just as happy with a trail. If the drivetrain is the decider and not creature comforts, Id go Trail, youll learn the proper use of 4wd.

 

[cjacob316]

So here's deal -- I haven't seen the trail premium so I have no idea what the soft tex is like compared to the perforated leather of the limited, or the other additional features it has over the TE.
I like the creature comforts that the limited has, but the more I look at them, I can't imagine they would be a deal breaker by giving them up in the trail premium.
The pull of the limited so far are these extra features, and the full time 4WD as I discussed, but like you and others have said, it seems like having full time 4wd down here is unnecessary and perhaps a bit overrated.

Looks wise, I absolutely prefer the TE exterior over the limited-- and ditto for the TE premium from the pics I've seen.
The suspension of the KDSS really impressed me in the TE I drove, as I mentioned, and I liked it better than the X-REAS in the limited. The braking was also better in the TE with KDSS .......but maybe the ride with the limited would feel much different with 17's. I have no way to compare that right now.

So in summary:
looks and suspension : TEP > LE
Creature comforts: LE> TEP (but granted I haven't been in the TEP....this is based on the comparison check list from totyota.com)
Drive train: million $ question

The material on the door and armrest of the trail is the softex. It's ok, not a selling feature to me, especially since it not conditioned. I have never liked sitting on leather, be it real or fake. I did wish my trail came with an auto dimming rear view mirror and home link. Those are the only additions the premium offered that didn't come on my Trail that I really want, and will likely add.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Good to know.
Has it changed how it handles around turns with respect to body roll/lean? Have the 17's with 275's made the ride feel more firm/planted on turns or is there no real difference compared to the stock 20's?

I definitely thought the trail with KDSS felt more secure with less lean than the LE.
But a 2nd test drive on dry pavement would have been nice ......unfortunately the Trail sold 1 day after I drove it in the rain.

I have not had a chance to test it yet on windy mountain roads at speed yet with the 17s. From what I can tell from my normal driving it feels planted about the same. My wife is recovering from shoulder surgery so I have not had a chance to drive much since putting on the new tires.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

No modifications necessary. Jack the truck up, take off a 20" wheel, slap on an 18" wheel, call it done.

I'm not familiar with the TPMS system on the 4Runner. On Mrs. M1911's Mercedes, we've got TPMS on both sets of wheels. When I swap them over, the car recognizes the new set after a few miles.

If you can change a tire, you can handle this. It is easier with a floor jack, a breaker bar, and a torque wrench.

I also suggest that when you swap over the tires, you clean off the hub with a wire brush. I put a thin coat of anti-seize on the hub to prevent the wheel from seizing to the hub.

The TPMS does not work like this on 4runner. Each sensor must be programmed in with specialized equipment and it can only recognize 4 sensors at a time. Every time tpms are changed it needs reprogrammed.

 

[Bruin1md]

When i bought my limited the Trail didnt have a premium and well i wanted the fulltime 4wd for snow and the wife already wanted a GX. If i was buying today Id probably be just as happy with a trail. If the drivetrain is the decider and not creature comforts, Id go Trail, youll learn the proper use of 4wd.

You sort of read my mind, in that the trail would teach me the proper use of 4WD, and as cjacob has said, we don't need full time 4wd down here for regular driving conditions.

I am almost afraid to drive the GX-- I have a feeling I'm going to really like it, lol, since it has the KDSS suspension with the same drive train as the limited and a nicer interior.
I guess I could change up the tires (I think the wheels are 18's?) to give it less of a soccer mom look.

 

[RainCityShecks]

You sort of read my mind, in that the trail would teach me the proper use of 4WD, and as cjacob has said, we don't need full time 4wd down here for regular driving conditions.

I am almost afraid to drive the GX-- I have a feeling I'm going to really like it, lol, since it has the KDSS suspension with the same drive train as the limited and a nicer interior.
I guess I could change up the tires (I think the wheels are 18's?) to give it less of a soccer mom look.

I was really hoping to open this thread and see you'd purchased a 4runner! Oh well - test drive the GX - it's nice as hell for sure. It kinda looks like a fancy toaster but it's cool. My vote (for you!) is for the Trail Premium or TRD Pro, both look pretty bad a$$ and will perform very well. And don't get me wrong, I love my LTD - but man the TRD Pro looks beastly - had it been around in 2013...... My last thought: I think that if I were spending 50K+ I'd make a left when I got to the Lexus dealership and head on down the road to test drive a LR4................:bolt:

 

[Bruin1md]

I was really hoping to open this thread and see you'd purchased a 4runner! Oh well - test drive the GX - it's nice as hell for sure. It kinda looks like a fancy toaster but it's cool. My vote (for you!) is for the Trail Premium or TRD Pro, both look pretty bad a$$ and will perform very well. And don't get me wrong, I love my LTD - but man the TRD Pro looks beastly - had it been around in 2013...... My last thought: I think that if I were spending 50K+ I'd make a left when I got to the Lexus dealership and head on down the road to test drive a LR4................:bolt:

I know --at this point all this posting probably sounds like excessive mental masturbation on my part, but I gotta tell you -- it's been good for me in that I've learned a ton about 4wd drive trains and it's actually opened Pandora's box a bit, as I've discovered options that I hadn't really considered. I'm like a kid in a candy store.

I thought I would go into this deciding to purchase a limited without question until I started reading on this forum. I wasn't even considering a trail premium and now it's probably at the top of my list. And now that I've learned about the GX, It's worth at least a drive-- even if it does look like a fancy toaster.
Like Jhalko said, buying a part time 4WD system is nice because it really forces one to learn it (when/how to use it) and there is something very cool about that to me (not that I'll be needing it much at all during my daily driving, but hopefully when I do get to take it off the beaten path).

In terms of Curbside appeal, there is no question the TRD pro would be my choice, but since there isn't one for me to drive, I need to rely on the reviews and the drive on the road seems to be not quite what I would want compared to the trail premium or limited.

 

[cjacob316]

I know --at this point all this posting probably sounds like excessive mental masturbation on my part, but I gotta tell you -- it's been good for me in that I've learned a ton about 4wd drive trains and it's actually opened Pandora's box a bit, as I've discovered options that I hadn't really considered. I'm like a kid in a candy store.

I thought I would go into this deciding to purchase a limited without question until I started reading on this forum. I wasn't even considering a trail premium and now it's probably at the top of my list. And now that I've learned about the GX, It's worth at least a drive-- even if it does look like a fancy toaster.
Like Jhalko said, buying a part time 4WD system is nice because it really forces one to learn it (when/how to use it) and there is something very cool about that to me (not that I'll be needing it much at all during my daily driving, but hopefully when I do get to take it off the beaten path).

In terms of Curbside appeal, there is no question the TRD pro would be my choice, but since there isn't one for me to drive, I need to rely on the reviews and the drive on the road seems to be not quite what I would want compared to the trail premium or limited.

There happens to be a few local Toyota clubs that off road quite a bit.

 

[RainCityShecks]

I know --at this point all this posting probably sounds like excessive mental masturbation on my part, but I gotta tell you -- it's been good for me in that I've learned a ton about 4wd drive trains and it's actually opened Pandora's box a bit, as I've discovered options that I hadn't really considered. I'm like a kid in a candy store.

I thought I would go into this deciding to purchase a limited without question until I started reading on this forum. I wasn't even considering a trail premium and now it's probably at the top of my list. And now that I've learned about the GX, It's worth at least a drive-- even if it does look like a fancy toaster.
Like Jhalko said, buying a part time 4WD system is nice because it really forces one to learn it (when/how to use it) and there is something very cool about that to me (not that I'll be needing it much at all during my daily driving, but hopefully when I do get to take it off the beaten path).

In terms of Curbside appeal, there is no question the TRD pro would be my choice, but since there isn't one for me to drive, I need to rely on the reviews and the drive on the road seems to be not quite what I would want compared to the trail premium or limited.

Hey man, no offense w/ the toaster comment - was trying to be funny. Sarcasm fail. Ooops. It's a nice rig. Just not my thang personally. Can't wait to see what you end up with!

Sometimes I feel like researching the holy $%#$%#$ out of a purchase is the most fun part. :vader:

Curiously - why the Lexus and not a LR4? Those things are pretty awesome. And burly. And pretty. Can it be both? Yes. Last I looked owner satisfaction was very high on all their vehicles.